Can you really win the battle over sinful thoughts? Try applying these six simple principles.

Key Points:

  • Principle #1: You are not alone. There’s not one person in the world who doesn’t deal with sinful thoughts. 1 Corinthians 10:13
  • Principle #2: Celebrate each victory and don’t maximize your defeats. Your spirit and flesh are constantly fighting; don’t expect to get victory overnight. Galatians 5:17
  • Principle #3: The bird will fly over your head (just don’t let it build a nest in your hair). Temptation is not a sin.
  • Principle #4: Don’t add fuel to the fire. Let the sinful thought slowly die out. Galatians 6:7-9
  • Principle #5: Look for the triggers. Take responsibility for what you allow into your eyes. Job 31:1, Matthew 6:22-23
  • Principle #6: Fill your mind with scripture. The Holy Spirit will bring God’s Word back to mind even as you are tempted to sin. Isaiah 26:3, John 14:26
Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. On a scale from 1-10, how often would you say you battle your thoughts? How have you worked through your thoughts in the past?
  3. Which one of these principles stood out to you the most? Explain.
  4. To what extent do you think you can control your thoughts? Explain. What is likely to happen if you don’t ever battle the toxic thoughts?
  5. Read Galatians 5:17. What does this mean? How can you decide which thoughts are of the sinful nature versus of the Spirit?
  6. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. What should we do with every thought?
  7. How can you apply these principles to your thought life moving forward?
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?